Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

Hyperion offers both CDs, and downloads in a number of formats. The site is also available in several languages.

Please use the dropdown buttons to set your preferred options, or use the checkbox to accept the defaults.

Recordings

'Impeccable, their sense of timing just right—leisurely, tender and reverential … a worthy follow-up to its admirable Vespers' (BBC Music Magazine)'As good as we have learned to expect from Matthew Best's Corydon Singers, and Best does the music itself proud' (CDReview)» More

This exquisite collection includes some little-known gems, rarely heard outside Russia and never before recorded in the UK, as well as some familiar favourites from this vast area of choral repertoire.» More

Allegri's haunting Miserere is the central point in a journey through music of longing and entreaty, hope and faith. These works spanning the centuries are chosen from the heart of Tenebrae's concert repertoire. The present album contains works by ...» More

Here is music for a cappella choir, grouped loosely according to the themes of its texts, drawing together composers as far apart in time and space as eleventh-century France and twentieth-century Russia and America.» More

Deacon: Blessed be the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter herein with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For the Holy Orthodox Patriarch, our lord and father Alexei, Patriarch of Moscow and of all Russia, and his flock, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For our lord, his beatitude Anthony, Metropolitan of Surozh, for the honourable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth and the royal house, and all her people and ministers, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For this country, her rulers and all her children, for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For seasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For those who travel by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; the captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.Choir: To you, O Lord.Deacon: For to you are due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgives all your iniquity, who redeems your life from corruption, and crowns you with mercy and compassion. Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Bless the Lord, O my soul.Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.Choir: To you, O Lord.Deacon: For the majesty and the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Only-begotten Son and immortal word of God, who for our salvation willed to be incarnate of the holy Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, who without change was made man and was crucified, who is one of the holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: O Christ our God, trampling down death by death, save us.

Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.Choir: To you, O Lord.Deacon: You are a gracious God, and love mankind, and to you we ascribe glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.

In your kingdom remember us, O Lord. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men revile you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Remember us, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom, pray for us, when Thou dost come into Thy Kingdom, O Lord. How blest the poor in spirit, they shall have the Kingdom of heaven. How blest are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. How blest the meek, for they shall receive the earth. How blest are those who thirst and hunger for righteousness and justice, for their prayers shall be fulfilled. How blessed are the merciful, for the merciful shall be given mercy. How blest are they who have pure hearts, for they shall see their God. How blest are they who bring peace, for they shall be called the sons of God. How blest are the persecuted for righteousness’ sake; theirs shall be the kingdom of heaven. And blessed are ye when men shall persecute you, and revile you and curse your name as evil unjustly for My name’s sake. Be ye then glad and let your hearts rejoice, for behold your reward in heaven shall be great. Praise to the Father, Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to ages of ages. Amen.

This is the fourth of the twenty choral movements comprising Rachmaninov’s impressive and colourful Liturgy of St John Chrystostom which he wrote in 1910 following a close study of Tchaikovsky’s setting of 1879. Unlike Tchaikovsky’s setting, which had been well received by the authorities of the Orthodox church, Rachmaninov’s setting was not sanctioned for liturgical use, perhaps because the music appeared too prominent in its own right; the first performance was given by the chorus of the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, conducted by the composer. No traditional chants are used: the music is freely composed, unlike the Vespers of 1915, which did incorporate traditional liturgical melodies.

Lord, we pray that you may be merciful and deliver us. Amen. Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, have mercy on us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Holy immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, have mercy on us. Alleluia. And with your spirit. Glory be to you, O Lord, glory to you.

Deacon: Let us say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: O Lord almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray you, listen and have mercy.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great goodness, we pray you, listen and have mercy.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for the Holy Orthodox Patriarch our lord and father Alexei, Patriarch of Moscow and of all Russia.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for our lord, his beatitude Anthony, Metropolitan of Surozh and for all our brethren in Christ.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for our brethren the priests, the ordained monks, and for all our brethren in Christ.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for this country, our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth and the royal house, for their salvation.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for our country, her rulers and all her children, for their salvation.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, visitation, and salvation, for the pardon and remission of sins for the servants of God, our brethren of this holy house.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable house; for those who labour and those who sing, and for all people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For you are a merciful God and love mankind, and to you we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, now lay aside all earthly cares. Amen. That we may receive the king of all, who comes invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Ever blessed Lord God Almighty: Holy, Holy, Holy, God in three persons, blessed, blessed Trinity Saints and Martyrs bless and praise Thee, Hearts and voices swell one hymn Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, Heaven and earth are full of Thy great glory, Holy blessed Trinity Amen Glory be to Thee, Glory to Thee in the highest, Hosannah, Hosannah, Hosannah In the highest to Father and Son and Holy Spirit Glory to Thee in the highest, in the highest, Cherubim and Seraphim Angels and Archangels praise and worship Thee singing Alleluia.

Rachmaninov’s setting of the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom remains, for many, the most musically satisfying setting of this particular Russian Orthodox service. Although Rachmaninov (1873–1943) never stipulated whether it was intended for performance in church or concert hall, it works well in both contexts due to its formal clarity and the spiritual splendour of the choral writing. The Hymn to the Cherubim calls for us to lay aside the cares of this life and receive the ‘King of All’. The sublime, undulating opening soon gives way to hushed tones before building into a grand climax, glorifying the Holy Trinity. The hymn ends gently with long-spun Alleluias.

Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim, and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all cares of this life, Amen. That we may receive the King of All, who comes invisibly upborne by the angelic host. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For the precious gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter herein with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: Pardon and remission of sins and transgressions, let us ask it of the Lord. Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: All things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: That we may pass the remaining days of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: A Christian ending to our life: painless, blameless, and peaceful, and a good answer at the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask it.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.Choir: To you, O Lord.Deacon: Through the compassions of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.Deacon: Peace be with you all.Choir: And with your spirit.Deacon: Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess.Choir: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, consubstantial and undivided.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible: and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. And was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried: and the third day he rose again according to the scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. And in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise. And also with your spirit. We lift them up to the Lord. It is meet and right to worship the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, consubstantial and undivided. Holy, holy, holy Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Amen.

Deacon: Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary.Choir: It is truly meet to bless you, O Mother of God, ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the seraphim, without defilement you gave birth to God the word: true Mother of God, we magnify you.Deacon: Among the first, have in remembrance, O Lord, our Holy lord the Patriarch of Moscow and of all Russia Alexei, and our lord his beatitude Anthony, Metropolitan of Surozh, that they may be preserved for your holy churches in peace, safety, honour, health and length of days, rightly administering the word of your truth.Choir: And of all mankind.Deacon: And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise your most honourable and majestic name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.Deacon: And may the mercy of the great God, our saviour Jesus Christ, be with you all.Choir: And with your spirit.Deacon: Having remembered all the saints, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For the precious gifts offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: That our God, who loves mankind, receiving them upon his holy, heavenly, and ideal altar as a sweet spiritual fragrance, will send down on us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: For deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: Pardon and remission of sins and transgressions, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: All things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: That we may pass the remaining days of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask it of the Lord.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: A Christian ending to our life: painless, blameless, and peaceful, and a good answer at the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask it.Choir: Grant it, Lord.Deacon: Having asked for the unity of the faith, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.Choir: To you, O Lord.

Deacon: And make us worthy, master, so that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon you the heavenly God as Father, and to say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.Deacon: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.Deacon: Peace be with you all.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.

Choir: And with your spirit.Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.Choir: To you, Lord.Deacon: Through the grace and compassion and love towards mankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.Deacon: Let us attend. Holy things for the holy.Choir: One is holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Choir: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. God is Lord and has revealed himself to us.Deacon: In the fear of God and with faith draw near.Choir: We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity who has saved us.Deacon: Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.

Choir: Let our mouths be filled with your praise, O Lord, so that we may sing of your glory: for you have permitted us to share in the holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries. Keep us in your holiness, so that all the day long we may meditate on your righteousness. Alleluia.Deacon: Let us attend. Having partaken of the divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.Choir: Lord, have mercy.Deacon: Asking that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.Choir: To you, O Lord.Deacon: For you are our sanctification, and to you do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.Choir: Amen.Deacon: Let us depart in peace.Choir: In the name of the Lord.Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.Choir: Lord, have mercy. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Father, give the blessing. O Lord, preserve all Orthodox Christians for many years.